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CALGARY - Calgary’s hot housing market has received another incentive that could boost sales activity even more in the coming days. Mortgage rates are starting to come down again right during the busy time of the year for the industry.

Alberta business leaders must work harder to encourage young women to enter the skilled trades, federal Labour Minister Kellie Leitch said in Calgary on Thursday. Leitch, an Ontario MP who is also Minister for the Status of Women, said Canada’s economy depends on the ability of employers to tap under-represented segments of the workforce.

Finance Minister Joe Oliver said Friday he’s working hard to bring Alberta onside with federal plans for a national securities regulator, but the provincial government insists it won’t cede its oversight role to Ottawa. Speaking to an Economic Club of Canada breakfast, Oliver said he met with Premier Dave Hancock and Finance Minister Doug Horner a day earlier to pitch the Conservative government’s blueprint for a voluntary national regulator of financial markets.

Finance Minister Joe Oliver said Friday he’s working hard to bring Alberta onside with federal plans for a national securities regulator but the provincial government insists it won’t cede its oversight role to Ottawa.

Alberta politicians paid tribute to former federal finance minister Jim Flaherty after his sudden death on Thursday. Premier Dave Hancock said in a statement that Flaherty “exemplified what it means to be a public servant.”

Finance Minister Doug Horner says Alberta isn’t looking for an immediate boost to Canada Pension Plan contributions, but he’s disappointed Ottawa has apparently shut the door on discussions around reforming the system. Monday’s meeting of federal and provincial finance ministers ended in acrimony as Ontario, Quebec and other provinces accused the federal Conservative government of unilateral action and stall tactics on CPP changes aimed at helping Canadians save more for their retirement.

Many people will be pleased that federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty continues to repeat his pledge to balance Ottawa’s books by 2015. But as much as ordinary taxpayers might cheer a return to surpluses, it’s likely no one will be happier than the Tories themselves, who could use some good news as the Senate scandal plays out interminably.

EDMONTON - Alberta believes Ottawa needs to pony up more than $2.6 billion for flood damages in the southern part of the province, Premier Alison Redford said Monday. Redford told reporters after a speech to the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce that the province is pleased with the support it has received from Ottawa, but the province’s finance minister has advised federal finance minister Jim Flaherty that “we think $2.6 (billion) is probably low.”

When the Bank of Canada reverses course and cancels previously hinted at interest rate increases, consumers would be wise not to look at this as yet another opportunity to pile on more cheap debt. That is in part because the reasons for the delayed rate hike are not all positive.

Alberta Finance Minister Doug Horner wants banks to hold off foreclosing on flood-damaged businesses for 90 days. That drew some friendly nods from bankers invited to Government House in Edmonton on Monday, says one official.

The Tory government is cranking up capital spending in the wake of the worst flooding in Alberta’s history while Calgary pushes its estimate of damages to the city skyward. Provincial Finance Minister Doug Horner said Tuesday the unprecedented flooding that swept through southern Alberta last month will force a major revision to the province’s capital budget in next month’s first quarter financial update.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper ignored his government’s recent troubles in front of a friendly hometown crowd Saturday, instead launching a broadside against the opposition parties and promising the Conservatives would be in a position of strength in the 2015 federal election.

Opposition and environmental critics are lambasting the federal government’s “disappointing” lack of environmental provisions in the new budget at a time when both Canada’s and Alberta’s track records for responsible resource development are under intense scrutiny. While there wasn’t much new budget spending for the environment, the biggest winner was Sustainable Development Technology Canada, which has been pledged $325 million over eight years to support the development and demonstration of new, clean technologies.

The Harper government is renewing its multibillion-dollar public infrastructure programs with a 10-year plan that targets key demands from Canadian cities, and offers billions of dollars in new spending to help provinces and communities meet basic needs for water, transportation and other infrastructure. Finance Minister Jim Flaherty described the new $53.5-billion plan as the “largest long-term federal commitment to Canadian infrastructure in our nation’s history.” It extends a seven-year plan — slated to expire next year — that was introduced in 2007.

Fashion, philanthropy, inspiration and funny seamlessly blended together March 6 at Hotel Arts at Love Her — a fundraiser and friend-raiser in support of Ovarian Cancer Canada. There is nothing funny about ovarian cancer, however, as late detection results in five-year survival rates of less than 30 per cent. Further, there is no effective screening test for ovarian cancer and every year 1,750 Canadian women die from the disease.

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